Royal game and method of playing

ABSTRACT

A game played in conjunction with card games and including an auxiliary feature. The game is playable in conjunction with standard card games, such as Poker, using a standard decks of cards or representations thereof. The game is further playable on a gaming table by players and a dealer using cards, or on a computer, other electronic medium, or slot machine. At the time of ante in the card game, each player optionally selects whether to participate in the auxiliary play, for example, by placing an auxiliary ante. Play then proceeds according to the rules of the underlying card game. A player participating in auxiliary play wins a bonus prize if the player does not fold in the underlying card game and if the player holds four “royal” cards (i.e., four face cards (10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace)) of the same suit (e.g., hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades).

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/409,586 of Thomas E. Sawyer filed Sep. 11,2002, titled ROYAL GAME AND METHOD OF PLAYING. The entirety of thatprovisional application is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a game, and in particular to acasino-style game played with at least one standard deck of cards, thegame being played in accordance with the rules of Poker.

[0004] 2. Background of the Technology

[0005] It is known in the art to provide card games, such as Poker, in acasino environment or consistent with casino style rules. In thesegames, the gaming establishment typically seeks to attract as manyparticipants to a game as possible to increase the money collected atthe gaming table. In addition, the number of games played during aspecified time, such as the number of hands per hour, is also animportant metric used to evaluate the return potential for a game. Thatis, the more hands that are played during a unit of time, the greaterthe money collected by the house and the corresponding profit realized.

[0006] There is a need for card games having improved play over standardPoker to attract and maintain customer participation. There is a furtherneed for such games that include features, such as additional sidebetting and special rules of play, to maintain player interest and playafter initial dealing of the hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a method and system for playinga casino style card game, referred to in one embodiment as “The RoyalGame,” that includes a portion of the game played in conjunction withstandard rules for Poker, as described, for example, in John Scarne,“Scarne's Encyclopedia of Games” (1994), including rules for play ofFive Card Stud, Five Card Draw, and Seven Card Stud, using a shoe of oneor more decks of cards or representations thereof. The game may beplayed, for example, on a gaming table by players and a dealer usingstandard cards or, for example, on a terminal, such as a computer orother electronic medium, using representations of various features ofthe game, which are viewed or otherwise provided to each player, such asvia a display device using a graphical user interface (GUI). Theterminal can include, for example, a personal computer, minicomputer,microcomputer, or mainframe computer or other device having a processorand a display or coupling to a display, such as an electronic hand-heldgame device or a personal digital assistant. The game is also playablein electronic form or in conjunction with electronic features over anetwork, such as the Internet, or using other gaming devices, such asslot machines.

[0008] In conjunction with play of Poker during the Poker portion of thegame, including standard rules for wagering during play (e.g., placingante bets and wagers during the course of play), for each hand, prior todealing any cards, the game of the present invention provides for theoptional placement of a selection, including wager, by each player toparticipate in an auxiliary game (referred to in one embodiment as the“The Royal” side game). Upon a hand that includes four “royal” cards(i.e., four face cards (10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace)) of the same suit(e.g., hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) being dealt to a playerselecting to play the auxiliary game, that player receives a bonusreturn or is eligible to participate in a bonus event. For example, uponreceiving four royal cards of the same suit, the player receives aselected bonus prize or participates in a random selection of a bonusprize. In one embodiment of an electronic version of the presentinvention, the bonus prize is randomly selected.

[0009] In addition to the auxiliary game, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes use of a payout table or other pay scale for returnson wagers in the Poker portion of the game. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, the player is able to place one or more wagers duringplay of the Poker portion of the game.

[0010] For example, in one embodiment in which play of the Poker portionof the game is in accordance with rules for Five Card Stud, play occursas follows. Each player has options, selectable such as via a selectionbutton or buttons for electronic or slot machine games or wagerlocations for game table versions of the game, to participate in thePoker game portion (e.g., by placement of an ante in an ante location)and to participate in the auxiliary game (e.g., by placement of anauxiliary game ante in the auxiliary game bet location). In anembodiment of the present invention, each player may select toparticipate in the auxiliary game only if that player has selected toparticipate in the Poker portion of the game.

[0011] In one variation of the Poker portion of the game, each player isdealt two cards down and one card up, in accordance with the rules ofFive Card Stud. Each player then selects to place a first wager (e.g.,by placing the wager in a first betting location) or to fold. In anembodiment of the present invention, the minimum first wager is equal tothe Poker game portion ante amount. Following placement of all firstwagers or folding, for each player placing a wager, a second face upcard is dealt. Each player then selects to place a second wager (e.g.,by placing the wager in a second betting location) or to fold. Followingplacement of all second wagers or folding, each player is dealt a finalcard, either face up or face down, depending on house rules. Optionally,in accordance with some house rules, players may also select to tradereceived cards for newly dealt cards or optionally to pass on betting asecond wager, but to elect to remain in the game.

[0012] Following dealing of all hands, the hands of each playerremaining in the game are revealed, and all wager payouts for the Pokerportion of the game are determined. For example, players having handslisted on a payout table are paid returns on their wagers based on thepayout table returns indicated (e.g., players having three of a kindreceive 2:1 returns on wagers if so indicated in the payout table) or,for example, receiving no return and forfeiting their wagers, includingthe Poker ante, for hands not meeting minimum qualifications for payouttable returns. In other embodiments of the present invention, otherreturns are usable in addition to those obtained via a pay table, suchas by providing returns for winning hands upon comparing hands amongplayers or upon comparing each player's hand to a dealer's hand. Inaddition, the hands of all players remaining in the game andparticipating in the auxiliary game are evaluated with regard to theauxiliary game. For example, all players having four “royal” cardsreceive the bonus prize or are allowed to participate in a random bonusprize selection event (e.g., turn of a prize wheel).

[0013] Additional advantages and novel features of the invention setforth in part in the description that follows, considered in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing figures, will become more apparent tothose skilled in the art upon examination of the following or uponlearning by practice of the invention. It is to be understood, however,that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustrationand not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] In the drawings:

[0015]FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the players, dealer, and gamingtable for play of the game in accordance one embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0016]FIG. 2 presents a gaming table layout for a gaming table inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 depicts the components for electronic play of the game inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 presents components for electronic play of the game using anetwork in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;and

[0019] FIGS. 5-7 show a flow diagram of an example method of play inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention includes two portions thatmake up the overall game. The first portion of the game, referred to asthe Poker game portion, is played in accordance with the rules of Poker,and the game portion is referred to as the auxiliary game portion.

[0021] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, playis conducted using one or more standard sets of 52 playing cards havingvalues of Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, and King. Thegame may be optionally played with the Ace as the high or low card, oras optionally selectable as high or low by each player and using one ormore Jokers, as, for example, wild cards. Each participating player isseated at, for example, a playing table, as described further below, onthe players' side of the table. The dealer is located on the dealer'sside of the table, opposite the players. In one embodiment, the table iscurved, having a convex side and an opening for the dealer, so that thedealer is easily able to deal to each player from the dealer opening inthe table, and up to seven players are easily and comfortablyaccommodated on the convex side of the table.

[0022] The game may also be played with representations of any of thefeatures described. For example, the game is playable in an electronicor partially electronic manner using a terminal, such as a personalcomputer, microcomputer, minicomputer, mainframe computer, or otherdevice having a processor and display or other device for communicatinginformation to a player, such as an electronic hand-held game device,for which representative images of cards are displayable on a screen viaa GUI. The game is also playable in conjunction with performance ofselected functions on a network, such as the Internet or an intranet.

[0023] The game table used in conjunction with an embodiment of thepresent invention is a standard blackjack or poker sized casino table,in which a dealer occupies one side of the table and players occupy theother. In one embodiment, the table includes a bar located on thedealer's side of the table. The table also includes the name of thegame, such as “The Royal Game.”

[0024] From the player's side, below the name (toward the players), areplayer positions for up to seven player spots. At each player's positionare four betting spots or areas, one of which is for a Poker gameportion ante, one for the auxiliary (Royal) game portion ante, and theother two for first and second bets. At these betting spots, playersplace chips, for example, for betting as play of the game proceeds. Inan embodiment of the present invention, the Poker ante spot is used toindicate selection to play in the game, the auxiliary ante spot is usedas an ante bet spot for election to play in the auxiliary game portion,and the two other spots are used for additional betting with respect tothe Poker portion of the game.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, marked lines areincluded on the table to clearly delineate each player's position froman adjacent player or players. The clear separation of each playerposition by the lines serves a number of functions, including preventingcheating, by clearly indicating the area in which a player's money orchips are located.

[0026] References will now be made in detail to embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

[0027]FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the players, dealer, and gamingtable for play of the game in accordance one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the game as played with one toseven players 1, 2, 3, 4 and a dealer 5 at a gaming table 7 using one ormore decks of cards located at a card location 9.

[0028]FIG. 2 presents a gaming table layout for a gaming table inaccordance with the embodiment of the present invention for play byplayers and a dealer at a gaming table. As shown in FIG. 2, the table 7includes a deck placement area 9 on the dealer side of the table 10 andseven player areas 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 on the players' side ofthe table, opposite the dealer side 10. Each player area 11, 12, 13, 14,15, 16, 17 includes four marked areas, a Poker ante spot 20 forplacement of a Poker game ante, an auxiliary game ante spot 21, and twobetting spots 22, 23.

[0029]FIG. 3 depicts the components for electronic play of the game inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 3, in this embodiment, the player 1 plays at a terminal 30, such asa personal computer, a minicomputer, a microcomputer, a main framecomputer, or other device having a display, processor, and GUI,including a hand-held electronic game, a personal digital assistant, ora slot machine.

[0030]FIG. 4 presents components for electronic play of the game using anetwork, such as the Internet or an intranet, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a player 1plays at a terminal 40, such as a personal computer, a minicomputer, amicrocomputer, a main frame computer, or other device having a displayand processor. The terminal 40, is connected 41, 42 via, for example,wire, wireless, or fiberoptic coupling to a network 43, such as theInternet or an intranet, to a server 45, such as personal computer, aminicomputer, a microcomputer, a main frame computer, or other devicehaving a processor, and optionally including a repository, such as adatabase, or connection to a database.

[0031] FIGS. 5-7 show a flow diagram of an example method of play for anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which play of thePoker portion of the game is in accordance with rules for Five CardStud. As shown in FIG. 5, each player elects whether to play in thePoker portion of the game 50, such as by placing a Poker ante, andwhether to play in the auxiliary game 51, such as by placing anauxiliary game ante. Each participating player is then dealt two cardsdown and one card up 52, for example, in accordance with the rules ofFive Card Stud. Each player selects to place a first wager (e.g., byplacing the wager in a first betting location) or to fold 53. In anembodiment of the present invention, the minimum first wager is equal tothe Poker game portion ante amount.

[0032] Following placement of all first wagers or folding, for eachplayer folding 54, both antes are forfeited and the player is out of thegame 55. For each player placing a wager 54, a second face up card isdealt 54 (fourth overall card dealt to player). Each player then selectswhether to place a second wager (e.g., by placing the wager in a secondbetting location) or to fold 55. Following placement of all secondwagers or folding, each player folding forfeits both antes and the firstbet and is out of the game 57. Each player placing a second wager 56 isdealt a final card 58, either face up or face down, depending on houserules. Optionally, in accordance with some house rules, players may alsoselect to trade one or more received cards for newly dealt cards oroptionally to pass on betting a second wager, but to elect to remain inthe game.

[0033] Following dealing of all hands, the hands of each playerremaining in the game are revealed, and all wager payouts for the Pokerportion of the game are determined 59. For example, players having handslisted on a payout table are paid returns on their wagers based on thepayout table returns indicated (e.g., players having three of a kindreceive 2:1 returns on wagers if so indicated in the payout table).Other returns are usable with the present invention, in addition toreturns via a pay table, such as by comparing hands among players or bycomparing each player's hand to a dealer's hand. In addition, the handsof all players remaining in the game and participating in the auxiliarygame are evaluated with regard to the auxiliary game 60. All players nothaving the appropriate “royal” cards in their hands lose their auxiliarygame ante. All players having the appropriate “royal” cards in theirhands receive the bonus prize or are allowed to participate in a randombonus prize selection event 63 (e.g., turn of a prize wheel).

[0034] Example embodiments of the present invention have now beendescribed in accordance with the above advantages. It will beappreciated that these examples are merely illustrative of theinvention. Many variations and modifications will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for at least one player to play a cardgame with a deck of cards, and for the at least one player optionally toparticipate in auxiliary play for a bonus prize, the method comprising:receiving a selection from each of the at least one player, theselection indicating whether to participate in the auxiliary play;dealing at least one card from the deck of cards to each of the at leastone player in accordance with the card game; determining whether each ofthe at least one player participating in the auxiliary play was dealtfour royal cards of the same suit; and if one of the at least one playerparticipating in the auxiliary play was dealt four royal cards of thesame suit, awarding a bonus prize to the one of the at least one playerparticipating in the auxiliary play dealt four royal cards of the samesuit.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection indicates whetherto participate in the card game.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thecard game is played in accordance with the standard rules of poker. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a selection from each of the atleast one player comprises: receiving a first ante from each playerparticipating in the card game.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinreceiving a selection from each of the at least one player comprises:receiving a second ante from each player participating in the auxiliaryplay.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving aselection from each of the at least one player whether to wager in afirst round.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein receiving the selectionfrom the at least one player whether to wager in the first roundcomprises receiving a first play bet.
 8. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: taking a first ante from each of the at least one playerselecting not to wager in the first round; and taking a second ante fromeach of the at least one player participating in the auxiliary play andselecting not to wager in the first round.
 9. The method of claim 6,further comprising: receiving a selection from each of the at least oneplayer whether to wager in a second round.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein receiving the selection from the at least one player whether towager in the second round comprises: receiving a second play bet. 11.The method of claim 9, further comprising: taking a first ante from eachof the at least one player selecting not to wager in the second round;taking a first play bet from each of the at least one player selectingnot to wager in the second round; and taking a second ante from each ofthe at least one player participating in the auxiliary play andselecting not to wager in the second round.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein dealing at least one card from the deck of cards to each of theat least one player in accordance with the card game comprises: dealingtwo cards down and one card up to each of the at least one player. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein dealing at least one card from the deckof cards to each of the at least one player in accordance with the cardgame further comprises: dealing one card up to each of the at least oneplayer remaining in the card game.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereindealing at least one card from the deck of cards to each of the at leastone player in accordance with the card game further comprises: dealingone card to each of the at least one player remaining in the card game.15. A method for at least one player to play a card game withrepresentations of cards, each representation of a card corresponding toa card in a standard deck of cards, and for the at least one playeroptionally to participate in auxiliary play for a bonus prize, themethod comprising: receiving a selection from each of the at least oneplayer, the selection indicating whether to participate in the auxiliaryplay; assigning at least one representation of a card to each of the atleast one player in accordance with the card game; determining whethereach of the at least one player participating in the auxiliary play wasassigned representations of cards corresponding to four royal cards ofthe same suit; and if one of the at least one player participating inthe auxiliary play was assigned representations of cards correspondingto four royal cards of the same suit, awarding a bonus prize to the oneof the at least one player participating in the auxiliary play assignedrepresentations of cards corresponding to four royal cards of the samesuit.
 16. A system for at least one player to play a card game withrepresentations of cards, each representation of a card corresponding toa card in a standard deck of cards, and for each of the at least oneplayer optionally to participate in auxiliary play for a bonus prize,the system comprising: at least one input device for the at least oneplayer to input data for play of the card game; a processor coupled tothe at least one input device for receiving input data from the at leastone input device; and at least one display device coupled to theprocessor for displaying display information; wherein the processorreceives a selection from each of the at least one player, the selectionindicating whether to participate in the auxiliary play; wherein theprocessor assigns at least one representation of a card to each of theat least one player in accordance with the card game; wherein theprocessor determines whether each of the at least one playerparticipating in the auxiliary play was assigned representations ofcards corresponding to four royal cards of the same suit; wherein, ifone of the at least one player participating in the auxiliary play wasassigned representations of cards corresponding to four royal cards ofthe same suit, the processor awards a bonus prize to the one of the atleast one player participating in the auxiliary play assignedrepresentations of cards corresponding to four royal cards of the samesuit; and wherein the processor outputs information to the at least onedisplay device.
 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising aterminal.
 18. The system of claim 16, further comprising at least oneterminal on a network.
 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising aserver on the network.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at leastone terminal and the server are coupled via a coupling.
 21. The systemof claim 20, wherein the coupling comprises one from the groupconsisting of a wired connection, a wireless connection, and afiberoptic connection.
 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the at leastone terminal comprises one selected from a group consisting of apersonal computer, a minicomputer, a microcomputer, a main framecomputer, a telephone device, and a personal digital assistant.
 23. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the server comprises one selected from agroup consisting of a personal computer, a minicomputer, amicrocomputer, and a main frame computer.
 24. The system of claim 18,wherein the network is the Internet.
 25. The system of claim 18, whereinthe network is an intranet.
 26. A device for at least one player to playa card game with representations of cards, each representation of a cardcorresponding to a card in a standard deck of cards, and for the atleast one player optionally to participate in auxiliary play for a bonusprize, the device comprising: an input device for the at least oneplayer to input data for play of the card game; a payment input for theat least one player to input payment; a processor coupled to the inputdevice for receiving the input data from the input device; and a displaydevice coupled to the processor for displaying display information;wherein the processor receives a selection from each of the at least oneplayer, the selection indicating whether to participate in the auxiliaryplay; wherein the payment input receives payment from each of the atleast one player; wherein the processor assigns at least onerepresentation of a card to each of the at least one player inaccordance with the card game; wherein the processor determines whethereach of the at least one player participating in the auxiliary play wasassigned representations of cards corresponding to four royal cards ofthe same suit; wherein, if one of the at least one player participatingin the auxiliary play was assigned representations of cardscorresponding to four royal cards of the same suit, the processor awardsa bonus prize to the one of the at least one player participating in theauxiliary play assigned representations of cards corresponding to fourroyal cards of the same suit; and wherein the processor outputsinformation to the display device.
 27. The device of claim 26, whereinthe device comprises a slot machine.
 28. A gaming table for at least oneplayer to play a card game with a deck of cards, and for the at leastone player optionally to participate in auxiliary play, the gaming tablecomprising: a table surface; a dealer location indicated on the tablesurface; and at least one player location indicated on the tablesurface, each of the at least one player location comprising anindicated ante location, and an indicated auxiliary ante location;wherein a selection is received from at least one player, the selectionindicating whether to participate in the auxiliary play; wherein atleast one card is dealt from the deck of cards to each of the at leastone player in accordance with the card game; wherein a determination ismade as to whether each of the at least one player participating in theauxiliary play was dealt four royal cards of the same suit; and wherein,if one of the at least one player participating in the auxiliary playwas dealt four royal cards of the same suit, a bonus prize is awarded tothe one of the at least one player participating in the auxiliary playdealt four royal cards of the same suit.